Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Words.

Let me just start off by saying that never have I hated the internet and social media more than I have this month. It just seems to offer a giant platform for people to say things they have not thought about, make claims about issues they have not researched, and jump on bandwagons that they have no idea what direction are headed in.

People lobbying for and against marriage equality, hurtful and unnecessary words exchanged on both sides.

People slandering the CEO of Starbucks and publicly boycotting the company {in the name of Christianity, no less} posting a fake article as their basis for doing so.

And so much more.

Let me just say this.

I love words. Words are beautiful. Words are a gift.

Your words are important.

No one else will ever be able to speak your words, so it is important that you speak them.

However. It is so incredibly important to think about your words.
There are so many reason for you to consider your words before you use them, but I think there are two main reasons.

One: Once your words are out there, you can never take them back.
This is especially true on social media. Sure, you can delete your post. You can say you're sorry, or that you've changed your mind. But you can never truly take back the words that you spoke, or the words that you posted. They are out there to stay, and they are attached to your name.

Two: You never know how your words are going to influence someone.
You don't know who all looks up to you. You don't know who will choose to believe your words as truth. So consider them carefully.

Did you know that it is possible to disagree with someone's views without going crazy and dragging their name through the mud?

Did you know that it is completely okay to have an opinion and not tell everyone about it?

Did you know that it is possible to disagree with others in love, and not hate?

Did you know that just because you disagree with someone's beliefs, you do not have to use your words to berate them in anger?

Your words are important, and they matter.

Your beliefs are important, and they matter.

Both can be conveyed in love.
Choose your words wisely, friends. Because they will either bring help or harm, there is no in-between.

I wholeheartedly believe in standing up for one's beliefs. Having said that, you are right. we as Christians are so quick to state our opinion often times without praying about whether is it wisdom to voice it in the first place. We walk a fine line. I have said things before that I wish I hadn’t, and there have also been times where I should have spoken up. Like Christina said, we ought to be known by our love.

I believe that too! I'm sorry if it came across that I was saying that I don't think you should stand up for your beliefs..I was meaning that it could be done in a much better way than using your words in a hateful way.

Oh man I think that EVERYONE should read this. For about a month after last year's election and then during the tragedy of Sandy Hook, I COULDN'T even go on facebook. Every status I saw was a drastic opinion on politics or the gun control debate. I wish everyone was more respectful of others feelings and really thought about what they were going to put out there on the internet before putting it out there.

That is so true. It's something I think about all the time. Thank for sharing your own point of view (which is quite right). It's amazing how many people try "to make a difference" but all they're really doing is arguing and being nasty with the way they go about things. It's incredible.

So important. Words are forever there, as a reflection of ourselves, even if we don't want them to be. We have to be wise in our choices and sensitive to the differences of opinions/views/people out there. People get caught up in hearing their own voice that they often forget to listen to others. Thanks for this!

So I just stumbled across your blog and I am so glad that I did. I really love your writing style!

I too have been frustrated with social media these past couple of weeks. My response is just to hide and not say anything. But maybe I should reconsider... choosing to abstain from words is not always the right choice, which is something I am learning. Thanks for sharing!

Social media has made people really rude! I hate it, they just think that because they are hiding behind their computers they can say whatever they want and that is so not true!Ughh just thinking about it pisses me off!

I hope that after your post some people realize that words really are hurtful and they need to stop!

I’m an eternal optimist who loves words and writing more than most things in life. I overuse emojis and know the lyrics to an embarrassing number of rap songs. And I think life is so good, it's worth writing about.

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